Executive Director | Chief Communications and International Officer (CCIO)
Yutaka Iijima is a communications and international affairs specialist with 16+ years of collective experience in startup ecosystem, biotech, and higher education.
Before Phoenixi, Yutaka worked at Kyoto University for about 13 years, serving as global communications manager of Kyoto University’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (WPI-iCeMS) [2007–2013], and international relations manager on both departmental and institutional levels [2013–2020].
During his time at the university, Yutaka was posted to Washington DC to assist US-based Halcyon, a residential incubator that accelerates the impact-driven future of businesses, in program development and operations as well as communications [2017–2018].
Currently, while running the Phoenixi Incubation Program as his primary responsibility, Yutaka also serves as global communications & IR director at VLP Therapeutics Japan, Inc, a biotech company engaged in R&D of vaccines for Covid, influenza, and Dengue [2020–present].
Yutaka holds a Master’s in strategic public relations from George Washington University; a Certificate of Specialization in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from Harvard Business School Online; and a Bachelor’s in media studies from Kansai University.
Yutaka enjoys running wherever he may roam on earth — once surpassing 11,000 km (6,835 mi) over the course of five years — just never on a treadmill.
